Are you a bakery snob?

[Disneyland1084]

Disclaimer: I mean the word "snob" in a lighthearted manner. What I mean by my question, whenever there's a celebration that calls for a cake or other baked goods, do you only go to specialty bakeries? I've been a little "snob" lately only because I found this bakery that makes cakes that are to die for! My DD wanted a strawberry cake for her birthday. This bakery made one and it was SOOOOOO good! There's another bakery I've ordered sugar cookies from in the past. Baby shower-cookies in the shape of onesies. When my sister got married, for her bridal shower I bought sugar cookies in the shape of a wedding cake. Next Sunday my DD is making her First Holy Communion and I'm ordering sugar cookies in the shape of a cross. As much as I love these bakeries, the ones I'm getting the cookies from, I bought a carrot cake from them last week that I wasn't too impressed with. It was good, but I swear to you the cake itself was from a box. When my birthday comes in August, if I can't afford Whole Foods, I'll be getting my carrot cake from Safeway. I've always liked their cakes.

 

[MouseMomx2]

I will order from whichever baker (grocery store, bakery, etc.) has the best product or the specialty item I want to buy. Usually, however, I bake everything myself.

 

[mommasita]

I don't think so, but maybe because we have so many mom and pop great Italian bakeries?? I usually buy the cold meat and rolls from them, and sometimes the odd desserts.. Go to any of these around here on the weekend and if you don't beat the rush the numbers often start at 01, and you can walk in and get 99 .. I am fortunate that I can go during the week

Normally I buy the birthday cakes from a Mom I know who makes them, and hers are just AMAZINGLY good, and she struggles, so I do feel good knowing I am helping her out as well.. She also delivers them to me, and that is just an added bonus

 

[Disneyland1084]

I will order from whichever baker (grocery store, bakery, etc.) has the best product or the specialty item I want to buy. Usually, however, I bake everything myself.

If I have the patience, I'm able to bake good cakes. Nothing fancy or too complicated though. My SIL use to bake wedding cakes for a living. She made my wedding cake back in 2002. It was gorgeous, and she did it for free. She saved my parents at least $1,200!

 

[tasha99]

Yes--if I buy a cake, it's from a bakery. The local grocery stores use cheap ingredients, and if it's a special enough event to call for a cake, I'd rather have one that's right.

 

[NHdisneylover]

For cookies and cakes I generally bake my own, but for those things I buy, yes I tend to go to whomever I feel makes the best of that product. I live within a 10 minute (or less) walk of 6 different bakeries. One does the best sour dough rolls, another has great croissants, another has the best pretzels, etc. If I need a variety (for a party, etc) I have been known to walk to three or four in a loop and pick up items from each rather than settle for all from the same place (which I will do if I am in a hurry or just being lazy though).

 

[ellone]

Yes - I prefer Whole Foods since I don't like to eat artificial colors or flavors . I've had a couple things with artificial flavors this week and since I am not used to them any longer they taste nasty.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

There is a local bakery here that I love.
So for family birthdays and special occasions, yes I do order my cakes from there.

We do a birthday club at work. When its my turn to buy the cake, I buy it from the grocery store. Its still good and about $10 cheaper.

 

[mombrontrent]

The truth is I have never bought any kind od dessert from bakery. I have bought bread items from a good local one occasionally though. I make all my own cookies, cakes, pies, treats ect. I make all the cakes and deserts for family birthdays and holidays. I enjoy and and like experimenting with new recipes and techniques. Since going vegan 2 years ago I have no choice but to make my own goodies if I want to eat them (which is actually a good thing). I swear to you the vegan baked goods and desserts taste every bit as good as the "normal" ones. Nobody has stopped eating or requesting my goodies

 

[Heidict]

I have a bakery not far from me that won on Cupcake Wars. I first tried them from the cupcake truck and they have wonderful flavors to choose from. Ended up ordering a cake for a birthday and I was hooked. No way I could get a cake from a grocery store again. Now, anytime we need a cake for birthday we always order from them.

 

[NewRVLady]

Yep-for birthdays I get a Dobach cake at the local French Bakery.
DH also buys a box of pastries from them and brings to contractors who place big orders with him

No comparison to grocery bakeries....

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

I have never bought a cake from a store or a bakery. I guess I'm a snob in that way as I believe I make a better cake than I can get from a store and just as good and cheaper than from a bakery. But, I will say that when I am on a road trip and stop at a convenience store, and I happen to get a hankering for one of those fried pies that has something like 8,000 calories it its tiny 5 ounces, I insist on getting one from Mrs. Baird's rather than Hostess or some other brand.

 

[diamondpixienc]

Yes--if I buy a cake, it's from a bakery. The local grocery stores use cheap ingredients, and if it's a special enough event to call for a cake, I'd rather have one that's right.

Nailed it! And BTW Yes, I am a Bakery "Snob" lol! I only use one bakery/ cake baker. Her name is Ms. Gail and she owns her own shop. Just her and one assistant. She only use real fresh ingredients and designs and make each and every cake herself. I'm telling you if you want pineapple filling you get real crushed pineapples she makes like a homemade jam not yellow gel. She is pricey but you only get one birthday a year so why not have real buttercream icing made from real butter and not whatever it is those chain stores use. Now, don't get me wrong I have picked up those frosted sugar cookies and cupcakes by the dozen before for my kids to take to school for their birthday treat to share with their class or a bake sale but that's mainly because its always safer to go store bought for anything at the school. Other than that it's a call to Ms. Gail. If your in the Charlotte area PM for the details. You will not be disappointed ;0)

 

[DisneyDreamer2504]

Another for the 'I don't but from bakeries' category. My mother is a fantastic baker, made my wedding cake and all my sisters. Growing up I didn't even realize that other peoples parents didn't bake everything for them, and was slightly confused when I heard of someone purchasing birthday cakes and such. Whenever there were major events like banquets, there would be the big sheet cakes you get from COSTCO, and they were terrible so I never touched them. I'm no where near as good a baker as my mother, but I bake everything I can.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Birthday cookies must come from Schulte's.
Donuts from wherever (even WalMart)
We don't buy cakes or nice breads (DW bakes)

So, other than the cookies, no. Not a bakery snob. Now, the butcher OTOH......

 

[soccerdad72]

No, not really.

 

[lizabu]

For birthdays and special events I will buy a cake from a near by Italian bakery. I like how everything is made with real ingredients. Grocery store birthday cakes are made with high ratio shortening and have an artificial taste.

 

[barkley]

after moving here I tried for over 5 years to find so much as a grocery story that carried a good quality rye bread with no luck until recently when we splurged and spent a night at a local luxury hotel. the marbled rye was to die for, and we asked the waitress if they made it on site. waitress said no, and when we asked if they purchased it locally was VERY KIND and checked with the kitchen manager. manager was nice enough to not only give us the name of the bakery they use but also directions and the somewhat different name of the store front coffee house the business sells their baked items to the public through.

the bread is phenomenal, and it's the only place we now buy it.

 

[kkandaj]

My "bakery" is my 83 year old gma. No one's chocolate or strawberry cake tastes better than hers. She bakes all the birthday cakes for my kids.

DS has severe food allergies and didn't even have a real birthday cake until he turned 3 and could have ingredients that make a cake. We are so blessed that she has learned to substitute all his allergens and make delicious cakes--where people don't even realize it has no egg, soy, milk or nut products.

 

[elaine amj]

Yes and no. I appreciate really good pastries and cakes (and will sometimes go out of my way to get them) - but will also eat and buy the grocery store stuff (for price and convenience).

I will say that when I get a chance to eat really good pastries/cakes, it's amazing. I have a decided preference for European-style baked goods. I find American-style ones too dense and heavy. I still drool when I think of this one bakery I found in Chicago where I spent $10 on one slice of carrot cake (take out). It was out of this world incredible - one of the best I've ever had. Sadly, there are no bakeries of that quality in my neck of the woods. I've mostly stopped eating carrot cakes (my favorite) because few places make it good. Guess maybe I should learn how to make it for myself?